newbie here, surgery date set!

Just joined up tonight...surgery date is 4/2/08, and I'm a nervous wreck! I wasn't expecting this at ALL...details are in my blog, but I didn't even know insurance approved me until the surgeon's office called with my date this afternoon!  I'm 36, and have been over 200 lbs for 15 years now.  My highest non pregnancy weight is 260, I'm 240 now, and would love to be 135-140 by this time next year.  Actually, anything below 170 by this point next year is good for me, with 135-140 my one year post op goal weight.  I'm scared I'm going to have loads of excess skin around my hips, and I don't want to look old.  Right now most people I come across think I'm in my late 20s, and I don't want to age 15 years overnight! Anyway, I'm looking forward to getting to know more of us over 30's here....my dad had RNY Aug 2006 at age 61, and is doing WONDERFULLY....I'm ready to do the same!

Welcome to this awesome board! Great peeps here!!

Welcome to the board. Always great to have another member.  Wish you all the best on your journey. Keep us posted! Take care. 

Reading your post was like listening to my thoughts.  I am 38 and having surgery on Feb. 12th.  I don't want alot of loose skin but I keep saying that I don't want to look old.  I too don't look my age and I like it that way.  However, I am looking forward to having more energy...I hope it all goes well.

Welcome aboard hon! Hold on for a wild and wonderful ride. :) You may not look older hon. I've had people tell me I look younger since dropping 100 pounds. I certainly was not expecting that at all. I can see places like a the tops of my thights and upper arms, as well as my belly that I think I will have extra skin, but I don't think it's going to be all that bad. I encourage you to exercise, take your vitamins and eat as healthily as possible. Keeping up your nutrition and exercising will be key in how your body heals and changes with the weight loss.  I also recomend using lots of good hydrating lotion after surgery. Before surgery I rarely needed lotions or creams as my skin stayed so oily all the time. Well when you take away all that fat consumption everything dries out. You'll want to keep the lotion applied to all your 'problem' areas that you feel might have extra skin after weight loss. The moisture will help your skin keep it's elasticity and aid in it shrinking along with your body.   Again, glad you posted here. Hope to get to know you better as well.